Control device



CONTROL DEV I CE Filed Sept. 16, 1952 55 Q i a] 67 62 64 F ,25

42 unalllmfie w 1, AF; I 5Q Patented May 19, 1936 PATENT OFFICE CONTROL DEVICE Reidar A. Tollefsen, Sellersville, Pa., assignor to United States Gauge Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 16, 1932, SerialNo. 633,503

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a control device particularly intended for maintaining a definite volume of air above a supply of water in a tank, forming a part of a water supply system. More particularly, the invention relates to a control device for insuring the maintenance of the proper amount of air above the water in a tank, that is intended to be automatically refilled, when the water level drops a predetermined amount by means of a pump, the control device of the present invention governing the volume of air above the water by permitting said pump to draw air and supply it to the tank with the water whenever the volume of air within the tank is less than a definite amount.

7 Devices of this character have now gone into relatively wide use, particularly devices of this type in which a float and float arm are mechanically connected to a valve that controls the flow of air to the snifter valve of the'pump, such as disclosed in an application of Rolf E. Anneren, Serial No. 316,041, filed October th, 1928, now Patent No. 1,972,815 issued Sept. 4, 1935.

The primary purpose of the present. invention is to provide a simplified improvement upon an arrangement such as illustrated in the application just referred to, by constructing the device of parts that may be very conveniently assembled, and that, when assembled, result in a control apparatus that functions with certainty under all conditions for an indefinite period, and in which the device is so assembled that the only element thereof that will deteriorate, because of inherent characteristics of the material from which it is manufactured, may be conveniently and expeditiously replaced.

A further object of the invention is to provide an air volume control device, in which a diaphragm is utilized to close the space around the vice, and in which the float arm is pivoted in the fitting, the diaphragm and means for pivoting the arm in the fitting being secured in position by a unitary means, thus facilitating assembly of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an air volume control device of thetype in which the float arm is pivotally mounted within the fitting, including bearing means for the pivoting of the arm, consisting of a plurality of separate rings which may be conveniently clamped with a diaphragm, to seal the opening through which the arm passes, against an abutment on the fitting, by means of a unitary member which may be threaded in the fitting.

float arm that passes into the fitting of the de- Still another object of the invention is to provide an air volume control device in which the air valve is positively controlled by the float, when it is closed as well as when it is open, and in which the weight of the float is relied upon to 5 maintain the valve in closed position when sulficient volume of air is included in the tank.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel valve for use in air volume control devices or the like including a body that is externally threaded for convenient application to an opening in the fitting of the air volume control device or the like, and which includes a valve stem provided with means so that it may be associated with a controlling arm in such a Way that the arm not only opens thevalve, but serves to maintain it closed, when conditions require it.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a control device of the kind that includes a float and fioat arm mounted in a fitting, including guide means engaging the float arm between the fitting and the float to predetermine the path of movement of said float arm, and to insure the proper angular relation between the float arm and its mounting in shipment as well as in use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a control device, of the kind that includes a float and float arm secured to a fitting that may be screwed in an opening in a tank, and in which the float arm extends a substantial distance away from its mounting, having a slotted guide of U-shaped form, the ends of the legs of e the U being secured to the fitting and the cross part of the U being slotted so as to provide a guide slot to cause the float to move so that its longitudinal axis will remain in substantially the same vertical plane, and so that the guide will protect the mounting of the float arm in the fitting, by preventing blows or impacts against the float arm, during shipment or in use, in directions other than the directions of intended movement of said arm with respect to the fitting, from breaking or injuring the control device.

Still further objects of the invention will appear as a description thereof proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a preferred form of control device corresponding to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of such device as seen from the left of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale showing the float arm pivoting mechanism and diaphragm and the unitary means for securing them in the fitting in position for insertion and assembly with the fitting through the open end thereof.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of the preferred form of valve and valve support of the control device.

Figures 5 and 6 are respectively, plan and side elevational views of a preferred form of guide means for the float arm.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 'I-! in Figure 3, the float arm pivoting means and the means for securing the float arm pivoting means and the diaphragm in the fitting, being omitted to show the manner of providing the float arm with pivot pins.

Figure 8 is a view showing the ring in which the pivot pins are seated.

Figure 9 is an end view of a preferred means for securing the pivoting means and the diaphragm within the fitting.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures.

The preferred form of air volume control device, illustrated in the drawings, comprises a fitting IO, preferably formed by casting or the like. Said fitting I8 is formed to provide a cylindrical portion II that is externally threaded as illustrated, so that it may be screwed in an opening in a tank forming a part of a water supply system. Said fitting also comprises a polygonal ex ternal surface l2 facilitating the screwing thereof into said opening in the tank, and a body portion I3 projecting away from said polygonal portions. The body portion I3 is preferably formed to provide a flat upper surface l4 constituting a shelf-like surface upon which a pressure gauge, screwed in a threaded opening l5 formed from said shelf may rest. The opening I5 is in communication with a passage l6 extending through the body of the fitting and opening into the interior of the tank, in which said fitting is screwed, so that the fitting of the air volume control, presently to be described, constitutes, at the same time, a convenient mounting for a pressure gauge showing the pressure of the fluid within the tank. The opening [5 and passage 16 may if a pressure gauge is not desired, be omitted.

The fitting I8 is hollowed out from the side [1 thereof that is inside of the tank when the control device is in operative position, providing a chamber l8 within the fitting. The walls of said chamber may be formed in any manner. Preferably they are formed soas to provide an annular shoulder I9 by reducing the width of the chamber at a point remote from the end of the fitting from which it is formed. Such annular shoulder, constitutes a seat against which a diaphragm, closing the open end of the chamber thus formed, may be seated in a manner presently to bev described. An internally threaded opening 20 is formed in the body I3 from the flat under surface 2! thereof for the reception of a valve supporting body hereinafter described. A further passage 22 puts the chamber l8 into communication with atmosphere.

A valve supporting member 23, having an externally threaded cylindrical portion 24, that is screwed into the threaded opening 28 above referred to, is provided with a polygonal section 25 formed to provide a, shoulder 26 seating, when the valve supporting member is secured in posi tion, against the flat surface 2| of the body l3 beyond the polygonal section 25. The valve supporting member 23 is provided with a cylindrical externally threaded section 21 designed to receive a suitable internally threaded connector 28 holding an end of a conduit 29 in fluid tight engagement with said valve supporting member. Conduit 29 leads to the snifter valve of a pump supplying water and/ or air to the tank, to which the control device is applied in a manner now well; known in the art. The valve supporting member 23 is provided with a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, which passage is in com munication with the conduit 29 when the latter is secured to the valve supporting member in the Way just described.

The upper end of the valve supporting member is internally threaded at 38. A valve structure of the type used in the valve stems of pneumatic tires and having an externally threaded section 3i may be conveniently applied to the valve supporting member 23 by threading the body of said valve into the threaded end of the passage extending through said valve supporting member.

The valve structure illustrated best in Figure 4 of the drawing includes a generally cylindrical body that is externally threaded only adjacent one end as above stated, which body is surrounded by a rubber or composition gasket 32 that may rest, when in operative position upon an inclined seat formed in the longitudinal passage in the valve supporting member 23 as illustrated in Figure 4. The upper corners of the valve body are cut away at 33 to the passage through the valve body providing passages, one at each side of the valve body, whereby the chamber I 8 which is open to atmosphere through the passage 22 is put in communication with the interior of said valve body. The lower end 35 of the valve body is formed to provide a valve seat surrounding an opening in communication with the body of the valve and the passages therein formed by the cut-away portions 33. A cupshaped valve 36 is preferably drawn toward the seat 35, by means of a spring (not shown) housed within the body in well known manner. The cup shaped valve 36 is carried by a valve stem 31 that extends through the body of the valve and is guided through the top of the valve body. Fixedly secured in any approved manner to the portion of the valve stem 3! that projects beyond the top of the valve body is a collar 38. Preferably, formed as an integral part of collar 38 are a pair of disc-like portions 39 and 40 of a diameter substantially larger than the body of the collar forming a pair of spaced abutments between which the end of the float arm, that actuates the valve 36 is positioned for a purpose hereinafter described.

The valve structure is applied to the valve supporting member 23, prior to the insertion thereof in the threaded opening 28 in the fitting, the spring preferably forming a part of such valve structure, maintaining the valve in closed position and the valve stem 3! in elevated position, collar 38 on said valve stem being thus positioned in proper position for the reception of the forked end 4| of a float arm 42 carrying a float 43, preferably of the form illustrated, rigidly attached to the end thereof, so that the length of the float extends in the direction of the length of the float arm. The diameter of the float 43, it will be observed, is less than the diameter of the threaded portion ll of the fitting, so that said float may be passed through an opening in the tank made of a size to receive the said portion of the fitting.

In order to facilitate the assembly ofithe float and float arm with respect to the fitting, and, at

the same time, permit the convenient connection of the forked end of said arm'with the collar 38, a diaphragm, constituting the means for sealing the open end of the chamber l8, provided to prevent the escape of fluid from the tank, and a means for pivotally mounting the float in the fitting, are provided of a nature so that said diaphragm and means for pivoting the float may be assembled with respect to the float arm prior to the application thereof to the fitting. To this end, a sleeve 44 is fixedly secured in any approved manner upon the float arm 42, and the diaphragm and means for pivotally securing the float arm in the fitting are secured to said sleeve. Sleeve 44 is provided with an enlarged head 45, presenting a shoulder 46 against which a collar 41, having a pair of laterally projecting pins 48 and 49 (Figure '7), and a diaphragm 5!], in the form of a disc of rubberized fabric or similar flexible material, are clamped by a washer 5| and a nut 52 threaded upon an externally threaded portion of the sleeve 44, so that all of the parts just referred to are clamped against the shoulder or abutment 46, and thus fixedly held upon the float arm. The washer 5| is provided to protect the flexible diaphragm from injury, when the nut 52 is screwed tightly against said diaphragm, the sliding movement between the side of the nut nearest-the diaphragm taking place between the washer and said part of the nut, so that during the clamping action the nut is not slid under pressure over the diaphragm.

The bearings for the pivot pins 48 and 49 are provided in a ring 53 that is provided with a pair of notches 54 and 55 receiving the ends of said pins. The escape of the pins from said notches is prevented by a pair of annular rings 56 and 51, disposed from opposite sides of the ring 53, the latter rings being unnotched so that they serve to prevent the pins, when the parts are in assembled relation, from moving laterally out of said notches.

An externally threaded cylindrical member 58 serves to clamp the diaphragm 59, the rings or annular members 53, 56 and 51 against the shoulder l9 above referred to by causing the threads thereof to engage threads formed in the wall of the hollowed out part of the fitting l0, adjacent the open end 11 thereof. To facilitate the threading of the member 58 in the fitting said member is provided with a hexagonal or similar polygonal opening 59, providing a socket for the reception of a suitable tool for advancing said member 58 until the diaphragm 50 and rings 53, 56 and 51 are firmly clamped against the shoulder IQ of the fitting. In this way the means for sealing the open end of the fitting through which the float arm passes, and the means for pivotally attaching said arm in the. fitting are readily applied to the fitting, and the float arm maintained in position in the fitting with the forked end 4| thereof in engagement between the parts 39 and 40 of the collar 38.

It will be understood that in controlling the valve 36, the movements of the float arm should be confined substantially to movements in which the longitudinal axis of said arm is located in a vertical plane. To guide the float arm so that its movements are confined as just stated, thus relieving the mounting of the arm from strains during operation, which might cause a binding of the parts, and to relieve said mounting of the float arm during rough handling in shipment, a

ing from strains.

guide 60 illustrated in detail in Figures 5 and 6 is provided.

Said guide is preferably constructed of metal bent to provide a body of U-shape, the legs GI and 62 of the U being provided with outwardly turned flanges 63 and 64 that are perforated at 65 to receive suitable fasteners that secure the flanges to the fitting at opposite sides of the open end ll therein. The fitting may be notched as illustrated in Figure l to snugly receive said flanges,

and thus relieve the fastening means of strain.

The cross portion 66 of the U-shaped body of the bracket is provided with an elongated slot 61, the Width of the slot approximating the diameter of the float arm. The float arm is passed through the slot prior to the application of the sleeve 44 and the parts carried thereby, and after said parts have been assembled upon the rod and the rod mounted in the fitting in the manner above described,'the guide bracket 60 is securedto the fitting as above stated, thus completing the assembly of the control device.

Said device will withstand rough handling in shipment and in use, in view of the fact that the movements of the float are restricted to straight up and down movement, and forces tending to move the float or float arm in other than the expected direction are resisted by the walls of the slot ii? in the guide Bil, thus relieving the mount- It will be observed that the guide engages the float arm at a substantial distance from the bracket between said float and fitting in a manner to most effectively serve the purpose for which it is provided.

The guide 60 may be employed with a control device in which the float arm is secured in the fitting solely by means of the flexible diaphragm, that is, a control device in which no mechanism for positively pivoting the rod with respect to the fitting is included. In such event the guide 60 way. Another type of sealing means, which may take the place of the rubberized fabric diaphragm, illustrated in the drawing is shown in the application above referred to, the metallic bellows illustrated being of such nature as not to require the positive pivotal mounting of the float within r the fitting, except as such mounting may be obtained by the metallic bellows connecting the float arm in the fitting, and which alone may be utilized to connect the float arm in the fitting.

It will beobserved that, in view of the fact that I the forked end M of the float arm is engaged between a pair of spaced abutments provided by the collar 38, when the float rises the valve is unseated against the action of any spring that may be utilized to maintain the valve closed, the buoyancy of the float being effective tounseat the valve. When the level of water in the tank drops indicating that a suflicient volume of air is contained therein the forked end of the float arm engages the upper abutment on the collar 38 so that the float is effective to maintain the valve closed. When the water level drops so that the float no longer rests upon the upper surface thereof, indicating that more than the required volume of air is in the tank, the weight of the float becomes effective to maintain the valve positively closed until normal conditions are restored in the tank, and the water level rises so that the float again rests upon its upper surface. If the water level rises sufficiently to cause the forked end of the floatarm to engage the lower abutment, the valve is unseated, and air is permitted to flow to the snifter valve of the pump and be supplied by it to the tank, providing additional air under pressure above the water in the tank.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

, 1. A control device comprising a fitting designed to be screwed into an opening in a tank, a float, an arm secured to said float and passing through an enlarged aperture in said fitting, a pair of pivot pins secured to said arm, a dia phragm to seal said aperture, a bearing ring having openings to receive said pivot pin, and a ring threaded in said fitting and simultaneously clamping said bearing ring and said diaphragm Within said aperture, said bearing ring consisting of a plurality of annular members, one of which is formed to provide a pair of slots to receive said pin, and another of which closes said slot to retain the pins therein and form with said slot the pin receiving openings in said ring.

2. Mechanism to pivotally secure the arm of a control device in an aperture in a fitting in a manner to seal said aperture and permit relatively free swinging movement of said arm, comprising an annular abutment surrounding said aperture, a flexible diaphragm fixedly secured to said arm and lapping said abutments, a ring engaging said diaphragm at the side thereof opposite said abutment, said ring comprising three annular members, one of which is provided with slots and the others of which serve to close opposite ends of the slots Within the first of said annular members, pins extending into said slots and pivotally connecting said ring and arm, and a member threaded in said fitting and clamping said diaphragm and ring against said abutment.

3. A fluid control device comprising a fitting provided with means to secure it in an opening in a tank, a passage opening in said fitting, a sleeve valve threaded bodily in said passage and including a valve stem extending beyond said valve into said fitting, a float, an arm secured to said float and pivoted in said fitting, and means connecting said arm and valve stem sothat the buoyancy of the float opens said valve when the float is caused to reach a predetermined position and so that the weight of said float positively closes said valve and maintains it closed when the float is not sustained by the fluid that normally sustains it.

4. A fluid control device comprising a fitting provided with means to secure it in an opening in a tank, an internallythreaded opening in said fitting, a connector threaded in said opening and united to a conduit through which the fluid to be controlled passes, an externally threaded sleeve valve removably secured in said connector and including as a part thereof a valve stem extending beyond said connector into said fitting, a float pivotally mounted in said fitting, and means operatively connecting said float and said valve stem so that the valve is actuated in both directions by said float and so that the weight of the float is efiective to maintain said Valve closed.

5. An air volume control or the like comprising a fitting, a float and float arm mounted in said fitting, a valve, mechanism connecting said valve and arm, and guide means for said float arm secured to and extending substantially beyond said fitting toward said float and formed to guide the movements of the float arm substantially in a definite path.

6. An air volume control or the like comprising a fitting formed. to be screwed into an opening in a tank, a valve mounted in said fitting, a float, an arm secured to said float and mounted in said fitting, mechanism connecting said arm and said valve, and guide means slidably receiving said arm, said guide means being spaced from said fitting but carried thereby to cause the longitudinal axis of said arm to be moved only in a substantially vertical plane as said float rises and falls in said tank.

7. An air volume control or the like comprising a fitting formed to, be screwed into an opening in a tank; a valve mounted in said fitting, a float, an arm secured to said float and mounted in said fitting, mechanism connecting said arm and said valve, and a slotted guide slidably receiving said arm secured to said fitting and projecting a substantial distance toward said float to cause the longitudinal axis of said arm to be moved only in a substantially vertical plane as said float rises and falls in said tank.

8. An air volume control or the like comprising a fitting formed to be screwed into an opening in a tank, a valve mounted in said fitting, a float, an arm secured to said float and mounted in said fitting, mechanism connecting said arm and said valve, and a U-shaped guide secured to said fitting at the ends of the legs of the U and having a vertically extending slot in the cross portion of the U through which said float arm passes and by the sides of which it is guided.

9. An air volume control including a fitting, a float, an arm carried by said float mounted in said fitting, and guide means secured to said fitting and engaging said arm at a point thereof between said float and substantially spaced from said fitting to cause said arm to move in a substantially vertical plane when said float rises and falls.

REIDAR A. TOLLEFSEN. 

